Prof: Memories of 9/11 blur over time

The 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11 can spark memories of sadness, fear and unity. Many claim they remember where they were when the World Trade Center towers were hit or who first told them the news.

However, Knox College Political Science professor Andy Civettini said some of these memories have become blurred since then.

By JENNIFER WHEELER

The Register-Mail

By JENNIFER WHEELER

Posted Sep. 11, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 11, 2011 at 10:03 AM

By JENNIFER WHEELER

Posted Sep. 11, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 11, 2011 at 10:03 AM

GALESBURG

The 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11 can spark memories of sadness, fear and unity. Many claim they remember where they were when the World Trade Center towers were hit or who first told them the news.

However, Knox College Political Science professor Andy Civettini said some of these memories have become blurred since then.

Civettini, whose family members helped build the World Trade Center, said more people than physically possible claim they saw the first tower get hit. If people continuously talk about a defining moment in history, they will start to recreate the memory. This does not mean that the emotions behind the memory are any different, rather the actual memory can be skewed.

He said the way people will remember the event in 50 years could be altered too, depending on whether people believe the incident ended in a disastrous or victorious manner. He said he believes that what ultimately happens to al Qaida will decide how the nation views this incident.

Additionally, because the media was able to reprint the images and streamline coverage throughout the day, the scene was able to re-play in people’s heads. This could create a heightened sense of uncertainty and destructiveness; people began to wonder if the attack could happen in their hometown.

Knox College Psychology Professor Frank McAndrew echoed those thoughts, adding that he believes the day created a sense of fear from an unexpected threat. No one had thought that ordinary people would be able to crack though the most secure places in the world. People wondered if this type of event could happen again.

“The idea that you could just be going to work on a regular day in New York City and have one of the most spectacular buildings in the world collapse on you ... it just shakes you up,” McAndrew said.

He said people will, of course, pause and remember the day but unless they have a direct tie to the attack, then it will be remembered as another tragic time in history similar to the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

“It’s just one of those memories of a terrible thing that happened but it doesn’t affect them in their day-to-day lives,” he said.